Advertising device



Oct. 3, 1961 c. L. RUl-n.

ADVERTISING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Shea?l 1 INVNTOR Charles L .Ruhl

ATTORNEY Filed Feb. 6, 1959 R Y O u E b v @i m m M. MQ D w w m N .I I h K A H U E R m s f PzmmmFmm o H Pzmmmm m NN G A .n |I uw \mN \u\% mw. C anmlxhb ..hlrullllnmuw mmwnnnulnn J %N M. Lili@ w Oct. 3, 1961 Filed Feb. e, 1959 Unted States, Patent fi 3,002,305 ADVERTISING DEVICE Charles L. Ruhl, '1327 N. Edge'feld, Dallas, Tex. Filed Feb. 6, 1959, Ser. No. 791,698 3 Claims. (Cl. 40-36) This invention relates to an advertising device, and it concerns more particularly an apparatus for displaying advertising signs.

An object of the invention is to provide, in combination with a series of substantially rectangular panels each bearing a sign, means for displaying the signs successively, in predetermined sequence. Y v

Another object of the invention is to provide, in combination with a series of substantially rectangular panels each bearing a sign, means for displaying the signs successively, in predetermined sequence, comprising an elongated, normally horizontally disposed housing, rectangular in transverse section, means for moving the panels in a circuitous path extending longitudinally along opposite sides of the housing, and a window in the housing intermediate its ends whereby the signs are visible exteriorly of the housing.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in combination with a series of substantially rectangular panels each having signs on opposite sides thereof, means vfor displaying the signs successively, in predetermined scquence, comprising an elongated, normally horizontally disposed housing, rectangular in transverse section, means for moving the panels in a circuitous path extending longitudinally along opposite sides of the housing, land a pair of windows in opposite sides of the housing inter-v mediate its ends whereby the signs are visible exteriorly of the housing, the arrangement being such that a series of signs corresponding to the signs on one side of the respective panels is visible through one of the windows, and a different series of signs corresponding to the signs on the opposite side of the respective panels is visible through the other of the windows.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in combination with a series of substantially rectangular panels each bearing a sign, means for displaying the signs successively, in predetermined sequence, comprising an elongated, normally horizontally disposed housing, rectangular in transverse section, having top and bottom rails each providing a pair of closely spaced longitudinal tracks for sliding engagement with the panels, whereby the panels are movable longitudinally, in opposite directions,` along the respective tracks, and cross-over tracks connecting the first mentioned tracks at their ends, means acting on the panels to move them longitudinally, in opposite directions, along the respective rst mentioned tracks, resilient means acting on'the panels, at the end of their travel in each direction, to yieldably urge them laterally in the direction of the opposite first mentioned track, whereby the panel is transferred fromY one of the rst mentioned tracks to the other, and its direction of move# ment is reversed, and a window in the housing intermedi#y ate itsends whereby the signs are visible exteriorlyiof the housing. A'

Another object of the invention is to provide, in combination with a series of substantially rectangular panels each bearing a sign, means for displaying the signs successively, in predetermined sequence, comprising an elongated,A normally horizontally disposed housing, vrectangular in transverse section, having top and bottom rails each Patented Oct. 3, 1961 ice providing a pair of closely spaced longitudinal tracks for sliding engagement with the panels, whereby the panels are movable longitudinally, in opposite directions, along the respective tracks, and cross-over tracks connecting the rst mentioned tracks at their ends, the panels being arranged end to end, in abuttingv relation to each other, along the respective tracks, whereby movement of one of the panels in either direction results in corresponding movement of other panels inthe same direction, means positioned at oppositeends of the housing capable of acting on each of the panels successively, at the beginning of its travel in each direction, to move the panel longitudinally a distance corresponding substantially to its length, resilient means positioned adjacent the cross-over tracks'capable of acting on each of the panels successively, at the end of itstravel in each direction, to yieldably urge the panel laterally'in the direction of the opposite iirst mentioned track, wherebythe panel is transferred from one of the'rst mentioned tracks to the other, and its direction o'f movement is reversed, and a window inthe housing intermediate its ends whereby the signs are visible exteriorly of thevhousing.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ad. vertising device as described which advantageously may be arranged longitudinally of display'racks of a type which are commonly employed in super markets, and in which the signs which are visible through a windowin one sidev of the housing may relate to items which are displayed on the corresponding side of the rack. n

Another object -of theinvention is to provide an apparatus as described which is of simple, rugged construction, may be manufactured inexpensively, and is efficient in'operation and durable in use. Y

The invention will be readily understood by referring to the following description andthe accompanying drawing, vin which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of bodying the invention; I

FIGURE/,2 is a sectional plan view, an enlarged scale, showing two of the panels as they approach the end of theiry travel,..in Vopposite directions', along the respective tracks; 1

' vFIGURE 3`isra lfr-agrnentar*y view similar to FIGURE 2, showing Vonevof the panels 4at the beginning of its travel along one of the tracks; s

` FIGURE 4 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line 4-.4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional elevation-al view taken on the line 646 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURES 7 yand 8are fragmentary views, onan enlargedscale, showing portions of the apparatus;

Referring to' the drawing, a series of substantially rectangular panels having signs on opposite sides thereof are each indicated by the numeral 1. The invention concerns, in combination with the panels 1, means for displaying the signs successively, in predetermined sequence, as hereinafter'described.

The 'apparatus of the invention includes an elongated, normally horizontally disposed housing, designated gen# erally by the numeral 2, which is rectangular in 4transverse section. The housing v2 consists of :a base board 3, a bot-4 tom rail 4 tarrangedpa-rallel to the base board 3l and supported. thereon, inI juxtaposed relation thereto, a pairfof; transverse vertical partitions 5 which are spaced inwardly,V

apparatus emfrom opposite ends of the bottom rail 4 and extend upwardly therefrom, a top rail 6 arranged parallel :to the bottom rail 4, in spaced apart relation thereto, and connected at its ends to the upper ends of the partitions 5, and an elongated sheet metal cover 7 which encloses the entire structure and is supported at its lower edges above the base board 3.

A pair of closely spaced longitudinal grooves 8 and 9, which are formed in the under side of the top rail 6, provide tracks :for sliding engagement with a pair of guide plates 1t), which are attached vto a longitudinal edge of each of the vpanels 1 and extend upwardly therefrom, whereby the `panels 1 are .movable longitudinally, yin oppositedirections, along .the respective tracks.

The tracks comprising the longitudinal grooves 8 and 9 :are connected at their vends by cross-over tracks each consisting of `an end portion 11 of one of the grooves 8 and 9 which is inclined toward the oppo-site groove, whereby it converges therewith, and a transverse groove 12 whichv is spaced inwardly from the adjacent ends of the grooves 8 and 9 a distan-ce corresponding to the spacing of the guide plates of the panels 1.

Three elongated strips 13, 14 and 15, which are arranged parallel to the bottom rail 4 and are attached to the upper side thereof, are spaced apart from each other to form between them ya pai-r of closely spaced longitudinal grooves 16 and 17. The grooves 16 and 17, which correspond to the grooves 8 and` 9 formed in the under side of the top rail 6, provide tracks for sliding engagement with a longitudinal edge of the panels 1, whereby the -panels 1 are movable longitudinally, in opposite directions, along the respectivev tracks.

The tracks comprising the longitudinal grooves 16 and 17 are connected at their ends by cross-over tracks each consisting of an end portion 1.8 of one of the outer strips 13 and :1'5 which is inclined toward the opposite strip, whereby the grooves 16 and 17 converge, the inner strip 14 being shorter than the outer strips 13 and 15 and the ends of the inner strip being spaced inwardly from the adjacent ends of outer strips 13 and 15 a distance corresponding to the length of a panel 1.

The panels 1 are arranged end to end, in abutting rel-ation to each other, along the tracks provided by the grooves 8 and 9, respectively, of the top rail 6 and the grooves 16 and 17, respectively, of the bot-tom rail 4, as above described, whereby movement of one of the panels 1 in either direction results in corresponding movement of other panels 1 in the same direction.

A pair of shafts \19, whichV are screw-threadedv intermediate their ends, as `at 20, are positioned at opposite ends of the housing 2 and are disposed horizontally, parallel to the respective tracks 8 and '9 of the top rail 6. The shafts 19 each have an end portion which is journaled in -a bearing 21 provided therefor in one of the partitions 5, land is connected by speedreducing gears 22 and 23 to the shaft of an electric motor 24, whereby the shaft 19 is rotated.

As shown in FIGURE 8, the end of each of the shafts 19V opposite the bearing 21 is journaled on a pin 25, which is formed integrally with a bracket 26 depending from the top 6.

Each of the guide plates 10 has a pair of semi-cylindrical lugs 27 attached to opposite sides thereof, with their flat faces extending outwardly in opposite directions. lThe tlat faces of the lugs 27 each have substantially one-half of an internal screw thread 28 formed therein, as shown in FIGURE 7, for engagement with the screw thread 20 of one of the shafts 19. The shafts 19 are capableof acting on each of the panels 1 successively, at the beginning of its travel in each direction, by engagement of the screw threads 28 of the lugs 27 with the screw threads 20 of the respective shafts 19, to move the panel 1 IIongi-tudinaily a distance corresponding Ysubstantially to its length.

A plurality of flat springs 29, which are attached to brackets 3i? depending from the top rail 6, are positioned at opposite ends of the tracks formed by the longitudinal grooves 8, 9 of the top rail 6, adjacent the crossover tracks above described, and are capable of acting on each of the panels 1 successively, at the end of its travel in each direction, to yieldably urge the panel 1 lateral-1y in the direction of the opposite track formed by the grooves 8, 9 of the top rail, and the corresponding track formed by the grooves 16, 17 of the bottom rail 4, whereby the panel 1 is transferred from one of the tracks to the other, and its `direction of ymovement is reversed, by engagement of the screw threads 28 of the lugs 27 with the screw threads Z0 of the respective shafts 19, as above described.

A pair of elongated windows 31 are formed in opposite sides of the housing 2 intermediate its ends whereby the signs are visible exteriorly of the housing 2|.

The invention may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and `scope thereof. What is claimed is:

l. In an advertising display apparatus adapted for successively displaying a plurality of signs, comprising, an elongated housing having an opening along at least one of its sides, a pair of laterally spaced tracks longitudinally ofthe top and bottom of said housing, respectively, and in vertical alignment, a plurality of panels, capable of bearing advertising indicia, arranged vertically in sai housing and slidably supported along their lower edges in one of the said tracks in the bottom of said housing, guide means on the upper edges of said panels slidably engaging one of the said tracks in the top of said housing, a continuously rotating threaded shaft supported in the top of and at each end of said housing for each of said pair of grooves in said top, the said shafts rotating in opposite directions, opposingly arranged threaded segments attachcd to each end of the upper edge of each of said panels alternately engageable with each of said shafts whereby said panels are moved longitudinally along said tracks, means at each end of each pair of tracks, and intermediate their ends, yfor transferring said panels from one set of vertically aligned tracks to the opposite set of vertically aligned tracks, and a motor for driving each of said shafts.

2. In an advertising device having an elongated housing and and an opening on one side of said housing, a pair of laterally spaced tracks in the bottom of said housing and longitudinally thereof, a corresponding pair of tracks in the top of said housing and in vertical alignment with the tracks in the bottom of said housing, a plurality of panels, adapted to display advertising thereon, movable along the upper and lower aligned tracks of each pair and means guiding said panels in said tracks, the said panels being continuously visible through said opening in said hous ing, a threaded shaft arranged at each end of the upper portion of said housing and having their inner ends ro tatably supported near the longitudinal center of said housing, one of said shafts being aligned with one of the upper pair of tracks at one end of said housing, and the other of said shafts being aligned with the opposite track of said upper lpair of tracks, a pair of opposingly arranged threaded segments on each end of each panel, and on the upper edge thereof, conformably engageable with said threaded shafts whereby said panels are moved along said tracks, means at each end, and intermediate the ends of said tracks, for transferring said panels from one set of vertically aligned tracks to the other set, and a motor for driving said shafts in opposite directions.

3. In an advertising device adapted for displaying adveitising panels in successive sequence, the combination with an elongated housing having an opening in one side, two sets of vertically aligned tracks arranged longitudinally of said housing, a plurality of panels having means on their upper and lower edges slidably and vertically supporting the same in said vertically aligned tracks, a threaded shaft arranged along each of the uppermost of said sets of References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Ash -..Q Feb. 27, 1912 Blair Oct. 17, 1916 Waters Aug. 19, 1919 Mutschler Sept. 27, 1932 Viskozki May 7, 1957 

